Thursday, 2 July 2015

Women's World Cup 2015 semi-final Japan beat England 2-1

Congratulations to Japan - there will be many people to encourage them Sunday because they are an excellent team, and Aya Miyama, who I think was voted MVP of this game, it is a fabulous, intelligent striker. They push US hard, and should be another intriguing clash of styles. Commiseration to England, and Laura Bassett, but he had an excellent tournament. Maybe next time.

Thank you very much for your emails and tweets; I'm sorry, I could not use them all. Dream World Cup England concluded in the most cruel way when the injury time own goal Laura Bassett rerouting Leonas Mark Sampson of the final in Vancouver at Heathrow.

Bassett was crying after cutting an authorization under his own net at the end of an evening when England had held its own against a slippery stage, technically accomplished, but largely without penetration, with the side of Japan.

Excellent defensively, Sampson persistent players forced their opponents to build their triangles undergo a series of blind alleys and dead ends. Perhaps ironically, he collapsed if the holders of the World Cup obsessed geometry given a rare cross.

Women's World Cup: Japan beat England

An England coach in the semifinals had predicted it would be much room was on level courtesy of a pair of little dubious penalties and the extension drift when Japan broke out and unleashed a superb Naomi Kawusumi ball subtly curved right. If anyone needed a reminder of why the high caliber change crosses games, this was it.
Under acute pressure two attackers, Bassett tried to clear but only managed to force the ball over the head of Karen Bardsley before watching in horror as the bottom of the bar is touched and dropped a yard line.

As the tears started to stream down the face of Bassett, the final whistle. Instantly, the midfielder was engulfed by peers desperate to offer him a comforting hug.

Bassett and the rest of the Sampson team must travel to London via the third playoff spot Saturday against Germany, while Japan faces US at the end of the next day.

Prince William and David Cameron were at the front of the queue of fans who sent messages of good luck Leonas Wednesday but Norio Sasaki was not convinced.

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"There are places where England fall involuntarily terminated," said Japan's coach sniffily something shortly before the meeting. "I wonder how they have been so successful so far?"

Shortly after kickoff, Jodie Taylor seemed destined to complete his confidence after login with Karen Bardsley blow - but she turned her little volley off.

After that, much of the first half was all about Japan dominated possession, with the Lions struggled to guess Aya pulse midfielders and sometimes Miyami wrongfooted by Rumi Utsugi class.

The good news for the Nadeshiko Sampson was beaten to get behind an extremely well-organized defense, and only Bardsley problems. In fact, in a rare offer always against long balls, Jill Scott and Taylor, the Lions looked pretty menacing.

Everything changed when Claire Rafferty pushed Saori Ariyoshi just inside of the box - England protested, unfortunately, that was just outside - and Miayma stepped up to take. Despite delaying its move and then stutter in the previous period, he sent Bardsley the wrong way.

If Sampson had a case to argue that initial push Rafferty had slightly outside of the area that could have no complaints when England - to £ 35,000 for all links of the woman who had lifted the trophy - won a dubious penalty clearly yours.

This time, Steph Houghton fell too easily in the face of challenge Yuki Ogimi, but the referee bought and Fara Williams approached the scene. Set pieces Sampson specialist did not disappoint, his shot comfortably escape the clutches of Ayumi Kaihori.

Taylor's knee - which was operated two months ago - forcing the replacement Ellen White after an hour, Japan appeared relieved. They appeared even more when Toni Duggan shot rebounded off the crossbar.

Sasaki introduced Mana Iwabuchi - also known as "The Killer" - on the bench, and 'brilliant flower "game of Japanese women soon started causing England all sorts of problems dubbed creator as he ran through a repertoire of stuff. So much, in fact, there was a strong suspicion that never Sampson Street, Bardsley charged faking injuries to use the rest of the group to return to their Leonas.

Whatever. Despite the withdrawal of Taylor, Britain remained much in the game. White forced a great save out of the hand guard changed Kaihori Japan and Jill Scott headed wide.

Time and perhaps more sanctions were signs - but then Bassett, otherwise excellent for England throughout the tournament, endured the worst moment of his career.

Finally, although it may be able to see the bigger picture. These are the achievements of the Lionesses "to reach the semifinals of the Women's World Cup for the first time and become the first national team of each gender for the semi-finals in Italy 90 guys Sir Bobby Robson.

They may have stumbled in the penultimate fence, but recently inspired a nation, will be a surprise if the topography of women's football in England does not change beyond recognition.